Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/112426
The Art of Manliness Continued once over in the mirror before you head out the door. In my experience, it leaves a white, powdery residue where you applied it. Rinse it off so you don���t arrive at work looking like you just polished off a pack of Hostess white powder donuts in the car. Alum block JOBS for TEAMS This consists of a bar-of-soapsized block of potassium alum that you wet, and rub on your face after shaving. It works pretty much the same way as a styptic pencil ��� shrinking the skin���s tissues and stymying the ���ow of blood.The only difference is that while the styptic pencil is for spot-treatments, alum blocks are for treating your entire face.This can come in handy if you���re trying out straight razor shaving for the ���rst time, as you���ll likely have multiple nicks all over your face, making you look like some creepy, bleeding religious statue on Unsolved Mysteries. Shudder. I know several gents who use alum blocks post-shave even if they don���t have any nicks or cuts. Besides acting as astringents, the minerals in an alum block also have antiseptic qualities which can help prevent razor burn. Also, the tingly sensation it gives the skin just feels nice. Special shaving nick rollers and gels. In recent years, a few companies have developed products that have the bloodstopping capability of the styptic pencil, but with less sting and white chalky residue. In addition to aluminum chloride to stop the bleeding, these rollers and gels have ingredients like aloe and vitamin E to help soothe your skin. Paci���c Shaving Company Stick, My Nik Is Sealed, and Prorasso Styptic Gel are three popular specialty shaving nick products. Aftershaves (or skin bracers) The alcohol in many aftershaves acts as an astringent, and so can help slow bleeding a bit. If your aftershave has witch hazel in it as well, even better ��� it���s a potent astringent too. And alcohol also acts as an antiseptic, which can help prevent skin infections like razor burn.To top it all off, aftershaves leave you smelling awesomely manly. I know many men who don���t like the skin bracing sting of aftershaves, but I personally enjoy it. Wakes me up a bit! If you���re looking for suggestions on an aftershave, I highly recommend checking out old-school drug store colognes and aftershaves. If they were good enough for grandpa, they���re good enough for us. Home Remedies You Can Use in a Pinch If you don���t want to get a special product to deal with your shaving wounds, or you���re in a pinch and don���t have your goto remedy on hand, these methods can also offer relief for your nicks and cuts. Cold water. Even if you do favor the use a product specially made for shaving cuts, splashing cold water on your face should always be your ���rst go-to remedy when you nick yourself. Cold water can be all you need, and you���re almost sure to have it on hand. When using this remedy, the colder the water, the better. It will cause your blood vessels to constrict, causing the ���ow of blood to slow and eventually clot. For faster and more effective results, try rubbing an ice cube on the cut. | 32 JobsForTeams0313_manliness.indd 2 www.jobsforteams.com 2/4/13 8:58 AM